Email: | suzanne.stewart@ecu.edu.au |
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ORCID iD: | https://orcid.org/0009-0008-6399-8417 |
Suzanne is a Lecturer in the School of Education.
Dr Suzanne Stewart is an experienced educator with a career spanning PK–12 and higher education, both locally and internationally. She has a strong background in special and inclusive education, with particular expertise in child and adolescent mental health and neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). Passionate about teaching and learning, Suzanne is committed to creating supportive, inclusive environments where neurodiverse students can thrive. Her PhD research was the first to confirm Hirsch and Matthews’ (2012) Cognitive Model of Pathological Worry in adolescents with NDDs, advancing theoretical understanding of how repetitive negative thought patterns contribute to poor mental health outcomes.
Over four years, her research identified the social situations most likely to trigger worry, loneliness and anxiety in adolescents with NDDs. These findings informed the development of an innovative 3-D serious game, which embedded a cognitive therapeutic approach designed to address negative interpretive bias (CBM-I). This highly original work demonstrated the potential of serious games as powerful therapeutic tools for improving wellbeing in vulnerable populations. Alongside her research, Suzanne brings extensive expertise, grounded in current best practices in pedagogy, assessment, student wellbeing, and positive behaviour support. She continues to champion inclusive education and innovative approaches that empower all learners to succeed.